Half of the top 10 highest scoring green cars were clean diesel vehicles in the newly released Green Car Guide compiled by the Automobile Association of America (AAA). The top 10 of AAA’s Green Car list included five clean diesels, three electrics and two hybrids.
“The field of green cars this year is the most competitive ever, so the fact that clean diesels ran away with 5 of the top 10 ratings is a great validation that clean diesel cars are really a great choice for consumers looking to make greener transportation choices” said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum (http://www.dieselforum.org/).
Two electric vehicles – the 2013 Tesla S P85 and 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV – topped AAA’s list and were followed by 4 Audi TDI clean diesels (A6, A7, A8 and Q5) and the Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec clean diesel among the top 10 highest scoring vehicles.
AAA’s Top 10 Green Cars
- 2013 Tesla S P85 (Electric)
- 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV (Electric)
- 2014 Audi A7 TDI Quattro (Clean Diesel)
- 2013 Lexus GS 450h (Hybrid)
- 2013 Nissan Leaf (Electric)
- 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid (Hybrid)
- 2014 Audi Q5 TDI Quattro Tiptronic (Clean Diesel)
- 2014 Audi A8 L TDI Quattro Tiptronic (Clean Diesel)
- 2014 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC (Clean Diesel)
- 2014 Audi A6 TDI Quattro Tiptronic (Clean Diesel)
This year’s AAA Green Car Guide reviewed 83 hybrids, electric cars, CNG-powered cars, clean diesels and partial zero emissions vehicles. The annual study was conducted by the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center (ARC). The green cars tested by the ARC are evaluated on the basis of 13 categories: including emissions, fuel economy, acceleration, handling, and other factors. The scores for the categories were totaled, and the cars were ranked from high to low.
To access the entire 140-page AAA Green Car Guide go to:
Clean Diesels Are 30% More Fuel Efficient Than Gasoline Vehicles
“Today’s car buyer is confronted with the largest choice of fuels and technologies ever. The fact that clean diesels are rated so highly reflects the total package that they provide – proven high fuel efficiency, low emissions, excellent driving performance, and no-compromises on vehicle types and choices. As Americans focus on getting the highest possible miles-per-gallon, today’s diesels post driving ranges of 500 to 800 miles on a single tank of fuel while typically beating their EPA mileage estimates – not falling short of them like other technologies,” Schaeffer said.
“Automakers are introducing more diesel-powered models in the U.S. each year and consumers are learning about increased fuel efficiency of clean diesels. Today consumers have 44 choices of cars, pick-up trucks, SUVs and vans with diesel engine options, and we expect that number to increase significantly in the next two years.”
To see information about every clean diesel car, SUV, pickup truck and van available today in the U.S. (and those that are coming soon) go to:
http://www.dieselforum.org/resources/clean-diesel-vehicles-currently-available-in-the-u-s-
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology, and working with policymakers and other stakeholders on common solutions. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.
